5/7/2008
PRICHARD, W.Va. — Gov. Joe Manchin III joined Emanuele Bosio, CEO of Allevard Sogefi; Keith Drew and Pierre L’Alloret, general managers of Sogefi Filter Division; and local officials to announce today the company will invest $7 million to add production of engine filter systems to its manufacturing plant in Prichard, W.Va. The new product line is expected to start operation by the end of 2009 and create 65 jobs by the end of 2010.
West Virginia will be the site of the first engine filter systems production site the Italian automotive component manufacturer has built in North America. Sogefi is recognized as a worldwide leader in car vehicles components, specializing in filtration systems and the suspensions’ flexible components.
In addition to producing filter systems, the Allevard Sogefi USA, Inc. plant in Prichard will continue to manufacture stabilizer bars for vehicle suspensions.
“West Virginia is extremely proud that Sogefi, an acknowledged world leader in vehicle components, chose to build its plant here, and has now chosen to expand its line here,” said Gov. Manchin. “We look forward to continuing a longstanding and rewarding partnership.”
The Sogefi plant opened in A. Michael Perry Prichard Industrial Park in Wayne County in 2004.
“Producing engine filter systems in North America is an important step in Sogefi Group’s development strategy,” said Sogefi Group CEO Bosio. “Our expansion in West Virginia confirms our confidence in this state and its people.”
Sogefi is an Italian Group and partner of the most important car manufacturers in the world. The company employs more than 7,000 people worldwide and has a global presence in 4 continents and 13 countries, with 48 offices of which 40 plants with a consolidated sales volume of over $1.6 billion.
In 2006, Gov. Manchin spoke to Sogefi CEO Bosio about possible expansion in West Virginia during a trade mission to Europe. The West Virginia Development Office, the Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO) and the Wayne County Economic Development Authority followed up the mission’s initial work and collaborated on the conclusion of today’s project.
For further details on the project, please contact Troy Thomas, General Manager, Allevard Sogefi USA, Inc., at 304-781-7701.
Contact Information
Catherine Zacchi
304-558-2003 ext. 340